Some hours before the ambush, the Crown Prince's room at the Southern seaport watchtower.
A sudden knock on the door drew Zhongshan Ling's attention from the cargo record he silently read through. Whoever was at the door knocked twice and paused for some seconds, His eyes narrowed on the door as the knocking resumed. He was not expecting any visitors, he looked to his servant, Xie Fang standing beside his seat and nodded to the door.
Xie Fang nodded silently and without making any sound walked to the door, pulled his head out of its sheath and held it by his side. He kept it at the most easily accessible angle as he opened the door. His grip on the sword loosened as he came face to face with one of the Crown Prince's most trusted servants and the leader of their spy network Hanriu.
